When the Red River begins to flood, we hear reports of "stages" or of "flood stages.&quot These values are typically given in feet. But just what does "18 feet,&quot "30 feet,&quot or "40 feet&quot mean? Here's a useful guide, based on various geographic positions along the Red River in the Fargo-Moorhead region.

Feet

17.0

Water rises to edge of bike path at El Zagal "bowl" along Elm Street, N. between 14th and 15th Avenues Fargo.

18.0

Official flood stage. This depth is based on that at the gaging (= gauging) station east of the Fargo Water Treatment Plant, 13th Ave. S. and 4th St. Minor flooding along Moorhead Golf Course. Elm Street closes at El Zagal "bowl," between 14th and 15th Avenues Fargo.

19.0

Drowning of low-level dam south of Main Ave.

22.0

Red River bridge on North Broadway floods.

24.5

Clearance of toll bridge at 12th Ave. N., Fargo.

25.5

Without diking, the outfield would flood at Jack Williams Stadium, north Fargo.